Trump Warns of Pulling of World Cup Games from Boston, Olympic Games from Los Angeles
Former President Trump has repeatedly declared he would pressure FIFA to relocate 2026 World Cup games from a host city based on that city's governance, with Boston becoming the latest such city to receive such warnings from the US president. Additionally, Trump suggested he would contemplate comparable measures against Los Angeles for the upcoming Olympic Games due to perceived security concerns.
Legal Authority and Informal Leverage
While Trump holds no direct legal authority to directly relocate either event, he may lobby the international organizations in charge of each tournament to move locations.
Context of Remarks
These remarks were made during a press event with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the White House following the announcement of a $20 billion financial assistance for the Argentine economy. Near the conclusion of the meeting, a media member inquired Trump about a current public disturbance in Boston where law enforcement were targeted and a patrol car was ignited. The correspondent also questioned if the situation could lead to the revocation of hosting duties for the 48-team World Cup.
“We could take them away,” he said regarding the World Cup matches, planned to be held at the Massachusetts arena. “The city's leader is ineffective … she is radical left, and they’re taking over areas of downtown. That is a significant statement, don't you think?”
Public Gatherings and Public Safety Concerns
Unauthorized gatherings, a online-fueled phenomenon where participants congregate on city streets late at night to perform stunts, have become a frequent nuisance in metropolitan centers since the Covid-19 pandemic closures. Recent such gatherings have escalated into violence in the state, including Boston. Yet, these events are usually not considered associated with any specific ideological group.
“When someone is doing a bad job, and I believe exist security risks, I'd call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and suggest it should be shifted to a different city,” he stated on Tuesday. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy the action, but he would comply. Without hesitation, he'd comply.”
Political Connections
FIFA President has publicly acknowledged his attempts to be closely connected with the US leader before next year’s tournament, planned to be staged in numerous American venues across the America along with two in Canada and multiple in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has appeared at multiple Oval Office gatherings, arranged for Trump deliver the FIFA club award after the championship match, and has even postponed his own organization’s congress to travel with Trump on a visit to the Arab region earlier in 2025.
Previous Threats
Nevertheless, Trump from suggesting the removal of soccer events from other US host cities. Recently, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis were similar statements, with Trump stating both urban centers were “governed by ideological activists who don’t know what they are doing,” while challenging the security conditions of both cities and suggesting that events could be shifted.
FIFA Response
FIFA vice-president Montagliani dismissed Trump’s claims when he commented afterward at a event in London.
“It is our competition, FIFA’s jurisdiction, we decide such choices,” he stated. “Respectfully to sitting presidents, football is more important than them and football will endure their administration and their government. That is the essence of this sport, that it is bigger than one leader and beyond a nation.”
LA Games Warning
On Tuesday, Trump’s response to a inquiry about Boston veered into a parallel statement regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“When I thought Los Angeles was not adequately ready, I'd move it to a different city if necessary,” he remarked. “On that one I may have to get a alternative permission, but we'd do that.”
Official consent Trump refers to would need to come via the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their president, Kirsty Coventry, was chosen to her post in this year and has not yet meet publicly with him, but she stated that she hopes for a meeting with the US figure at eventually.
Additional Criticism
Trump also criticized the state's leader Newsom’s handling of recent California fires, stating that a parallel incident could lead to the removal of the Games.
“When he doesn’t play ball, we are going to have to be very tough,” he stated.
His statement was equally clear for Boston.
“They better clean up their act,” he said. “That’s all I can say.”
